Swimmers to cross US-Mexico border to support immigrants

Athletes from six countries swim off Imperial Beach, Calif., to cross the border from the United States into Mexico, in what they say is a show of solidarity with immigrants on Friday, May 5, 2017. he swimmers from the United States, Mexico, Israel, New Zealand and South Africa were escorted by a Mexican Navy ship as they reached a beach in Tijuana, a short distance from a border fence that juts into the Pacific Ocean. (AP Photo/Elliot Spagat) (The Associated Press)

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Athletes from six countries join arms before swimming off from Imperial Beach, Calif., to Mexico, in what they say is a show of solidarity with immigrants on Friday, May 5, 2017. The swimmers from the United States, Mexico, Israel, New Zealand and South Africa were escorted by a Mexican Navy ship as they reached a beach in Tijuana, a short distance from a border fence that juts into the Pacific Ocean. (AP Photo/Elliot Spagat) (The Associated Press)

People stand on the Mexican side the U.S. border as a group of athletes from six countries swim across the border to Playas de Tijuana, Mexico, beach, on Friday, May 5, 2017. The swimmers from the United States, Mexico, Israel, New Zealand and South Africa were escorted by a Mexican Navy ship as they reached a beach in Tijuana, a short distance from a border fence that juts into the Pacific Ocean. (AP Photo/Elliot Spagat) (The Associated Press)

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. – Twelve athletes are swimming across the border from the United States to Mexico in an effort to call attention to immigrants in a charged political environment.

The swimmers embarked Friday in the city of Imperial Beach, California, and headed south toward a fence that juts into the Pacific Ocean. Kayakers paddled alongside for safety. Mexican immigration officials and schoolchildren prepared to greet them on a beach in the border city of Tijuana.

Supporters held on to the swimmers' passports during the 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) swim.

Organizer Kim Chambers of New Zealand insists the swim isn't a protest against President Donald Trump's border wall or government policy but says an air of "negativity" after last year's U.S. elections was the catalyst.